In Keego Harbor, a local teenager’s wish came true, thanks to the magic of the Make-A-Wish foundation and a certain legendary rapper. Stanley Sekulich, a 10th grader known for his love of rap music, video games and maintaining a stellar 3.5 GPA, entered the school year with an unforgettable memory – getting to meet his idol, Eminem.
Stanley has been bravely battling Duchenne muscular dystrophy – a severe degenerative muscle disease – since he was 6 years old. Today, at 15, he relies on a wheelchair to navigate his world. Despite these challenges, Stanley’s spirits run high. A huge highlight of his life was getting to meet the iconic Detroit rapper at his restaurant, Mom’s Spaghetti, following a careful request through Make-A-Wish.
It was a really cool and once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Stanley shared. “I am grateful for everyone who was instrumental in making it happen, particularly Eminem and Make-A-Wish.
Keego Harbor families and the community were thrilled to hear about Stanley’s exciting day. The experience took a new spin on the famous Eminem song “Stan,” which tells a dark tale of extreme fandom.
Before his diagnosis, Stanley was known for his athletic prowess, especially his love for swimming. His struggle with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a condition causing progressive muscle degeneration, has led to mounting medical expenses and physical challenges.
Stanley’s fighting spirit, along with his love of video games, music, and movies, has kept him going. His father, Jeff, remains hopeful for a cure, affirming, “I’m a ‘glass half full’ kind of guy.”
Stanley’s heartwarming story further unfolded when his wish to meet Eminem was granted. The young fan, his family, and some other lucky kids were ferried over to Eminem’s restaurant, perfecting his lifelong dream. And to top it all off, he even left with a handful of Mom’s spaghetti merch, including a branded hoodie and a T-shirt with the restaurant’s menu.
Stanley’s story moved the hearts of many, and he received slew of positive responses online from fans all over the world. “Fifteen minutes with Eminem is more than what I ever dreamed of for Stanley,” shared Marina Mahmud, Stanley’s caretaker.
Stanley attended school with a new swagger after his encounter with Eminem, leaving a lasting impression on his peers. Jeff, his father, was deeply grateful to Make-A-Wish and Eminem, expressing, “The volunteers and everyone who made it happen, we can’t thank you enough. And Marshall was a class act all the way.”
